Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Amazon Ecosystem
Brazil has over 1.3 million sq miles
(3.5 million sq km) of rainforest, the
largest in the world. This massive river
system contains a fifth of the world's
fresh running water at any moment. The
Amazon is home to a variety of plant,
bird, fish and insect species. From the
air, its magnificent canopy hides a variety of eco-
systems, many with dramatic seasonal changes.
Between December and April, visitors explore the
flooded forest swamps and creeks that offer access
to the fascinating flora and fauna.
ECOLOGICAL CONCERN
An estimated 208,495 sq
miles (540,000 sq km) of
the rainforest is reported
to have been destroyed
by indiscriminate felling.
Stringent measures being
taken to save this eco-
logical treasure include
expansion of protected
areas and sustainable use
of forest resources.
Tree frog
perched on log
Rubber trees
(
Hevea brasiliensis
) growing on
river banks are the source of valuable latex,
which is later transformed into rubber.
The ceiba tree
(
Ceiba pentandra
), with
elegant buttress roots that surround the
trunk's base, is the biggest tree in the Amazon,
with an average height of 120 ft (37 m).
Walking palms
appear to migrate
across the forest floor due to
their characteristic stilt roots
loosely attached to the ground.
Flowering bromeliads
are
epiphytes that gather water and
nutrients from raindrops on
leaves as well as from dew.
